Comments on: SAM vs. PODS: Moving and Storage Compared (Prices, Sizes, and More Reviewed)

By: travel lift

travel lift — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:54:15 +0000

The self storage systems are a thing of the future, but the “podzilla” uses the same technology that a marine travel lift uses. But not as stable. From all the video’s I saw on youtube, the container was swinging from side to side depending on the skill of the operator. And when a truck goes up a hill, the load does not remain flat. So I think PODS is using scare tactics against other competitors.

By: Josh

Josh — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:14:33 +0000

After doing quite a bit of research on both companies, I eventually chose PODS for the same reason that Martin did. They’re “Podzilla” lift system (which is patented incidentally) keeps the container flat while moving. I didn’t like the idea of my container bbeing dragged up an inclined bed, just in case I hadn’t packed as securely as i thought. Besides, all things aside, pricing seemed to be about the same.

I can testify that our experience with PODS was excellent, and I’d recommend them to anyone moving or in need of storage space.

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:16:08 +0000

Martin - excellent comment, thanks for sharing. I didn’t know that there was a difference in the unloading mechanism. I did know that PODS uses a “PODZILLA” system that keeps the container flat. I wonder if PODS has a patent that prevents this technology from being used by others.

I think if you secured the furniture well (this depends on a lot of factors), it probably isn’t too bad to shift the container when moving it. Containers that are less solidly packed, this would certainly be an issue.

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:44:08 +0000

After weighing both options (SAMs and PODs)I just booked a move though PODs.
The quotes were very similar, the issue was not price.
The issue to me was the loading/unloading of the containers.

PODS:
Uses some kind of “patented process” that keeps the containers flat at all times. No tilting for loading or unloading.

SAMs:
Uses the same process as a dumpster delivery and pick-up where the containers are dragged up an inclined flat-bed type vehicle.

This may not seem like a big deal when the containers are empty, but when they are full and being dragged up onto the flat-bed (30-40 degrees?), the odds are more likely for shifting (regardless of how secure it is packed.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

By: Fred

Fred — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:11:20 +0000

gimbler: while I’m sure people have them, I haven’t heard a negative story about PODS yet. Glad to hear your experience was good. Even though you pay a little more for the convenience, you’re absolutely right, it makes it so easy its worth it!

I actually wrote a post about using PODS to stage your home. Its an easy way to increase the bottom line on your sale.

By: Door To Door Moving & Storage

Door To Door Moving & Storage — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:10:35 +0000

There are lots more options for portable storage containers than just PODS and SAM. Of course this varies based on where you are living (in a city, in the suburbs, small rural town etc.) Search the internet yellow pages and you’ll surely find a list of moving and storage companies that will help with this. Call each one and not only should you compare rates, but ask how many days you get to pack it, whether or not you can access the POD while it’s in storage, how large the physical pod is, is there a weight limit, etc. A little effort will go a long way. In the end, portable storage is surely less stressful than normal self-storage.

By: gimbler

gimbler — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:37:22 +0000

We used PODS about 18 months ago - (I think before there was a SAM) and couldn’t have been happier with the experience. We had a pod delivered to our driveway and the driver asked which way we wanted the door to face. We put it right up against the garage door. Since it’s flat on the ground it was easy to load. Especially our large collection of books! Most of them went onto rolling carts that I just rolled right in and then secured to the walls.

We rented the POD to “declutter” our house before it went on the market. We put everything we didn’t need for staging or day to day living into the POD and sent it to their storage facility.

Then when our house sold we packed up what was left into one Budget rental truck and drove from Delaware to our temporary rental in Pittsburgh. When we found a house to buy in Pittsburgh we notified PODS of our new address and set up a delivery date. Our stuff arrived in good shape and on time.

The storage fee was about $200 a month - which was more than for a normal self-store facility. But the convenience of not having to load it to a truck, unload it at a storage facility, load it again when we moved, rent and unload at ANOTHER storage facility in Pittsburgh while we shopped for a new home and then load and unload once again once we actually closed on our new home… let’s just say it was money well spent!